Physical activity in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. Aspects of measurements with an activity monitor

The aim of the present study was to evaluate different aspects of a device designed to monitor physical activity. Measurements of different axes and p lacement of the monitor were tested using a treadmill with ranging incremen ts in incline or speed. The monitor was also used to assess the level of ph ysical activity among children and adolescents with congenital heart diseas e and in healthy controls at the same age. The results indicate that the mo nitor is a valid and reproducible instrument fur measurements of physical a ctivity. The study revealed that the level of activity was higher for healt hy boys than healthy girls (p<0.0001). Boys with congenital heart disease a lso displayed higher values compared to girls with congenital heart disease , although the difference was not significant (p=0.067). Healthy boys revea led a significantly higher level of activity than did boys with congenital heart disease (p=0.003), but no such difference was found in girls (p=0.757 ). Nor were any differences found between younger and older individuals amo ng patients with congenital heart disease. Young healthy controls, however, showed significantly higher levels of activity than their older counterpar ts. There were differences in activity monitored during the week, with lowe r activity in the weekends, but the activity on the same day in different w eeks seemed stable. Neither were there any differences between measurements over whole weeks. The results indicate that the Computer Science & Applica tion monitor is a valid instrument for assessing physical activity. The mon itor may also be used, therefore, to validate the levels of physical activi ty level in children with congenital heart disease after medical and surgic al treatment.